Category: Q&As

My Daughter Wants Designer Clothes

Published : Jun 18, 2025
By Dr. Ana Aznar

“My daughter goes to a posh school and is pissed at me because I’m not getting her kids designer clothes like all the other parents. What do I do to explain it to her?” 

I understand why you are finding this situation tricky. Your decision not to buy your daughter designer clothes may be down to finances but I imagine that it is also down to your values. If you firmly believe that teenagers should not have designer clothes, stick to your values. It is your daughter’s job to rebel against your decision, and it is your job to do what you think is best for her. 

It is important that you raise your daughter according to your own values. And it is important that you transmit her those values and why you consider them important. Tell her. Explain to her that you don’t think it is good for teens to have designer clothes. Maybe you believe that wearing designer clothes do not make us better or worse. Or maybe it is that for you to be able to afford them, you would have to work longer hours, and you value the time you spend time together as a family. Or maybe it is that you believe that spending so much money in clothes is wrong. Whatever your reasons, explain them to her so she can understand. When your child understands your values, she is more likely to gravitate towards children who share the same values.  

young african american girl holding hangers with clothes while friends standing behind

Or depending on your values, you could also her tell that you have nothing against her wearing designer clothes as long as she pays for them. You could tell her that if she wants them, she could find a job or use the money she may have saved to buy them.  

This way she would learn the value of money.  

It is important that the disagreement over this topic does not damage your relationship. So, be patient. Try to understand where she is coming from. I don’t think that your daughter is asking your for designer clothes because she is spoilt but because she wants to fit in with her peer group. Think that for children and especially teenagers, the most important thing is to fit in their peer group. This is why they all want to wear the same clothes, same hair style, they speak in a similar way, and they have similar interests. So, instead of thinking that your daughter is acting like a spoilt kid, think that she probably wants to fit in and not feel left out. Understanding where she is coming from, will help you be more patient. However, tell her that you are trying to understand her and that she should also try to understand where you are coming from.  

I hope this helps! If you want to more support, please get in touch with me. 

Love to you and your daughter,  

Ana 

Dr Ana Aznar 

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Comments
Pia Satrustegui
2025-04-25 07:23:36
Hola Ana,
Qué fantástico artículo y que buenos consejos. Ha sido de una gran ayuda. Un abrazo muy fuerte
Dr. Ana Aznar
2025-03-31 19:41:20
Qué ilusión tu mensaje, Pia! Gracias a tí por leernos.
Pia Satrustegui
2025-03-28 10:13:56
Querida Ana,
Maravilloso artículo sobre la serie Adolescentes y consejos de gran ayuda en una etapa tan complicada de nuestros hijos , tan desprotegidos frente a las nuevas tecnologías.Es una ayuda tremenda para nosotros. Muchas gracias
Armani
2025-03-06 09:31:35
This is ethically wrong and I don't think it's worth the damage it will ultimately cause to the relationship. And the issues it will cause for the one being spied on. Just don't do it.
Meghan
2025-02-07 21:26:19
Is there a printable version of the article? I am a school based mental health professional and would like to share it with parents.
J
2025-02-03 10:52:04
This is such a great writeup. I think too often we get caught in a rutt of trying to categorise everything. Our daily lives are kind of dictated by categories and labels, certainly in a digital world.

I'd imagine this is quite deteremental for a childs development in the long run as nothing stays the same forever, and we shouldn't really be making these categorisations, especially towards our children.

Just live life, sometimes you'll have to be the parent that's the shoulder to cry on. The week after you may have to raise your voice a little when everyone is in a rush and you're trying to get your children's shoes on.

Just balance it all out, don't be too self critical and pick up on what your child wants and needs.

Again, great writeup!
Dr. Ana Aznar
2024-09-13 12:51:46
Dear Robert,
Thank you so much for your comment. I totally get what you mean. It is always difficult to have kids living with you, wanting to support them and their parents but at the same time not wanting to step in anyone's toes. If there's anything we can do to support you and your family, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Ana
Robert Eisenbart
2024-09-10 00:43:07
Great Article! I'm a retired FNP. Years ago I taught a STEP program to parents via family court cases. I now have a daughter and her man disciplining three children 4, 8, and 10. The 10 year old has ADHD and my personal diagnosis is she's also Oppositional/Defiant. I believe the OD came from harsh discipline. All they seem to do is punish and threaten physical punishment. They say positive reinforcement didn't work however they tried it for about 2 months and then went back to punishment. I can't reason with them as "they are the parents"!! is all I hear. They all live with me and have since the oldest was about 2. Sadly I can see the other 2 developing issues like anxiety and aggression as well. Trying to show them another side of adult supervision when I have them but frustrating.
Dr. Ana Aznar
2024-09-02 20:48:07
Really glad you found it useful! Thank you for being here and for your comment.

Ana
Dr. Ana Aznar
2024-05-17 09:55:58
Hi Donna,
sO great to have you here! Totally agree that Zara is great! What other topics would you like us to discuss?
Ana
Donna
2024-05-17 09:49:36
Love Zara’s ways of teaching for both parents & kids! Also so helpful. We want more!! (Please!) :D
Ana Aznar
2024-05-08 07:24:31
We are glad you found the content useful! Many thanks for being here.
Ana
Cristoj
2024-04-09 18:20:19
Great article!!!
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